Exhibitions- Gerard Way

Sober

Maxine and Gerard continue walking around Camden market together, slowly getting to know each other a bit more. Maxine learns that Gerard actually went to art school in New York and that's how he got connections with Jacob's company. Maxine was shocked to hear this as she was considering the same art school so that both her and Daisy could live in New York together, they had actually planned this out years ago. Daisy was going to go to medical school in New York and then once Maxine finished college, she was going to move to New York and study art there. However her grandad then died so she chose to stay close to home as she couldn't afford New York anymore. Gerard probably wouldn't have met Maxine at art school anyways, he's 29 and she's only 22. 

The pair come across a small art shop in the market, both being art lovers they decide to have a look around. The styles of art in this shop are so vast, lots of fantastical paintings with 3D elements thrown into them. Maxine finds a small triptych of three sketches and instantly recognises the style. "Gerard, these comic style sketches are like your work!" 

Gerard's heart melts as he recognises that Maxine actually payed attention to his work and remembers the little details of it. "You know, I'd love to see some of your work Max." He says with genuine interest.

"Max? Nobody calls me that?" Maxine replies, ignoring the actual statement that he said. 

"Well I do." He says with an adoration in his eyes. "It's cute."

Maxine blushes at the nickname and Gerard notices, he begins to smile. 

"My paintings are all in my flat." She says, getting back to what Gerard mentioned. He raises his eyebrows, hinting that he'll happily go and take a look. 

Maxine smiles and agrees to head back to hers for a bit. 

They take a short stroll back towards her flat, the streets are beginning to get busier now. The roads are jammed with traffic, busses and cars almost piled on top of each other. They cross the road carefully, with Gerards protective instincts kicking in as he wraps his left arm around Maxine. She enjoys his warm touch, keeping close to his side as they crossed. He lets go of her as they approach the flat.

Maxine unlocks the door and shows Gerard in. 

He instantly walks over to a piece which shows a sunset with the skyline of London in it.

"This is so pretty, it captures your personality really well!" He says, not taking his eyes off the painting. It has both realistic and surrealistic elements in it, with the sunset being a mixture of flat paint and flower petals being stuck down, creating a textural 3D element. Gerard was genuinely enjoying looking at Maxine's paintings. 

They talk for a while about art before Maxine begins to explain her creative problems, looking for advice. "Yeah these were all created a while ago. This is why I doubt myself when it comes to a career in painting because I can even find inspiration half of the time." She sounds exhausted. 

Gerard takes a deep breath. "I mean, for me personally, I found it easier to get inspiration from what's happening in my own life. The sketches that I exhibited yesterday were based off a time in my life where I was at my lowest. Ya'know like alcohol problems and shit." Maxine notices how vulnerable he is right now, it only makes her admire him more. "But please don't give up Max. Trust me, I've been there where you can't even process the idea of creating something. But it gets better. When I became sober, I was able to start creating work with a completely different outlook on life, this was also cool because it contrasts my other works which are quite dark." Gerard laughs at the last part and finishes off his story, he looks over to Maxine who has tears filling her eyes. She wasn't sad, she was happy that he overcome his problems. Who knows what could've happened? He probably wouldn't be sat across from her right now. 

He stands up and walks over to her with his arms open, asking for a hug. They hold on to each other for a moment, both trying to savour it.

"Look I better go, I've got to be up early tomorrow cause I've got a flight to catch." Gerard pulls away from the hug. "But here, take my card and maybe come check out my studio sometime!" He pulls out a business card and places it in Maxine's hands. 

"Yeah maybe when I have the money haha." Maxine laughs whilst wiping the happy tears from her eyes. "Thank you Gee."

Gerard smiles at the silly nickname, knowing that he started it. Maxine shows him out of the door and shuts it, leaving her in silence.